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Meghan
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“So, this thing you’re doing with Chase. How’s it going?” Rosie followed me around the coffee shop.
I sprayed a high top table with some sort of bleach solution and wiped it off with an industrial grade rag.
“Good.” I bit my bottom lip and heat rushed to my cheeks. I kept my eyes on the table.
“And, where do you think this is going? You two are getting closer, yeah?” Rosie had good reason to be suspicious. She heard the alerts on my phone. She saw the way I curled my hair before I left for the studio, and the extra mirror checks before I walked out the door.
Oh, yeah.
“Maybe. I don’t know. It’s kind of nice being back on speaking terms.” I couldn’t lie to my best friend. I didn’t really want to. Everything happened so fast, though. I didn’t want to jinx anything by speaking too soon.
“No, beuno. Are you sure this is a good idea? He broke your heart last time. You’re finally coming back into your own. I heard you laugh last week for the first time in months. Don’t let him knock you down like that again.” She followed me behind the counter.
I worked my way to the cream and sugar station. So gross! I wiped away the spilled sugar and scrubbed the hardened cream until it came off the surface.
The bell chimed. “Can I help you?”
I turned, only to come face to face with my mother.
“So you’ve met Cindy and Chadwick, have you?” She spit the words. Her tone was covered in deceit.
“I have.” I squared my shoulders. Rosie stood behind me, so that the edge of her shoulder bolstered mine.
“Well, I hope you’re happy. I have nothing. I can’t even afford a shower at a truck stop thanks to you.” If she was close enough to something she could pick up and throw, she would have. Her eyes yelled at me louder than she ever could.
Truck stop shower? Been there. Done that. It sucks.
The tink of pointy heels followed the chime of the bell.
“Mrs. Foster I understand you’re going through a difficult time, however, you will not accost my client in that manner. Now, you can order a coffee, or get the hell out of the shop.” Cindy took a stance between my mother and me. She wore the same suit as the one from the office, except this one was line green.
My mother spun on her heel.
“Now, bless her heart.” Cindy unwrapped a piece of gum from her purse. “That woman just doesn’t know when to stop.”
“Hello, I’m Roseanna Mariella Fernandez. You can call me Rosie. Teach me your ways, Obi Wan.” Rosie bent over in a weird fan bow thing. I don’t even know what the fuck she was doing.
“Sweet Meghan Grace.” Cindy wrapped me up in a bear hug. “I just wanted to check-in and make sure your mother wasn’t causing you any trouble. We cut off her cards this morning, so Chadwick and I thought we might need to keep a closer eye on you for a bit.”
“Can we keep her? She’s fucking amazing!” Rosie beamed.
***
“Hey, Chase. Have you been doing your homework?” I laid out the equipment we’d been using during our sessions.
“Absolutely! The wall angels are getting easier. I think I can add a few reps today.” A smile parted his lips.
He laid down on the mat and started chest stretches. He rested his arms and elbows on the mat and raised his hands above his head.
“Are you feeling the stretch?” I asked, watching carefully to make sure he didn’t push himself too far.
“I am.” He stopped suddenly and looked up at me. “The end of break is coming up. Want to drive to Tybee Island with me for a day before classes start?”
“Sure.” I answered before I had time to consider the question.
Without another word, Chase laid back and resumed his workout.
After a few sets of our normal routine, I interrupted him. “Let’s try something different.”
I walked over to my backpack and pulled out a regulation football. Chase’s eyes grew as big as saucers.
“Calm down, we’re not going to throw it.” I rolled my eyes, and the joy in his eyes visibly dimmed.
I put the ball in the hand connected to his injury. He glanced down at his fingers on the laces. I hadn’t been around him much, but clearly, he hadn’t held a ball in way to long.
“Keep the ball in your hand, while you try a few shoulder blade squeezes. Without moving your arms, squeeze your shoulder blades together.” I stood behind him.
The muscles in his back moved as he worked them. I felt for the ridges between his shoulder blades.
“Can you take your shirt off? I need to make sure you’re doing this right.” I looked down at Dad’s journal. There was a photo posted of what the back should look like when the move was done correctly.
“Yeah, yeah. You’re just trying to get me naked.” He joked before he stretched his plain white t-shirt over his head.
I returned my hand to his back. His skin was soft, smooth, and slightly sweaty. I focused on his movements, despite how much my mind wanted to wander down his back and to his ass. If I kept going, my nipples would expose my desire through my thin sports bra. Fucking lady boners.
“Meghan,” he rasped.
He squeezed his shoulders together. Injured or not, Chase’s body enchanted me.
“Yeah.” My breathing became heavier with each flex he made.
Chase had me mesmerized.
“I can see you through the mirror. You’ve got a little drool on your chin.” He snickered.
I wiped my chin. Liar. My chin was perfectly dry.
My stomach growled. “I think I’ll grab some chicken tenders when we’re finished.”
“Cool. I’ll join you. I just need to shower first.” He spun so fast, I never saw it coming.
Out of nowhere, he placed a single kiss on my forehead, and holy shit, it captivated me—mind body and soul.
***
How’s the gimp today?” Adam plopped onto the couch next to me.
“He’s doing much better. A few more weeks and he should be back to normal.” I folded my hands and rested them in my lap.
Several awkward, silent moments passed between Adam and me. I got under his skin. He tolerated me, barely, because Chase did. Most of the time he avoided me. Today was different.
“What’s he doing?” He picked up the remote and turned on the channel. He flipped from channel to channel so fast, all I saw were flashes of colors.
“Taking a shower.” I glanced from the T.V. to Adam. He wasn’t unfortunate looking, per se’. Well built, beautiful smile and bright eyes. He had that cocky prep-school vibe. He and Chase were close though, so the quarterback couldn’t be too bad.
He was tall like Chase. It left me feeling like a midget sitting or standing next to him.
“I’m surprised you didn’t join him.” He smirked.
“I’m surprised you’re such an asshole. Actually, I’m really not. Most jocks are. Chase is a rarity,” I snapped.
“That he is.” He nodded in fake agreement.
“What’s your problem? You weren’t like this last semester.”
“I don’t have a problem. Chase does, and it’s got your name written all over it. I’ve seen your type before. Rough around the edges with a big heart. Bullshit. I see you for what you are. Even if you don’t do it purposefully, you’ll change him. His goals will change. His passion, too. Because all he’ll be able to see is you.” He stretched his arms behind the couch.
“Don’t pretend to know me. You don’t.” I shook my head.
Chase walked into the living room wearing nothing, but a towel wrapped around his waist.
“Sorry, Chase. I can’t grab lunch today. Rosie texted, and she needs me to come home.” I jumped off the couch and stormed out.
Rosie was right. Chase was right. Helping him was the worst idea.
